DEBATE OVER ‘BLACKFACE’ IN BOULDER: University of Colorado faculty leaders may consider whether the use of black face paint at sporting events is school spirit or racially insensitive and reminiscent of “blackface” costumes. The Boulder Faculty Assembly’s diversity committee has raised the concern that, on multiple occasions, “blackface” costumes have been displayed at sporting events and on Pearl Street during Halloween. The Daily Camera[2]

TAX INITIATIVES: A progressive group filed a batch of ballot initiatives Thursday that would create a graduated state income tax system and raise taxes on corporations. The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute filed the six initiatives after its original tax-hike plan was thrown out on a technicality in December. The Durango Herald[3]

EMMISSIONS AVOIDANCE: An attempt by northern Colorado Republicans to get out of vehicle emissions testing has cleared an early hurdle — but the bill faces an uphill battle before becoming law. The Republican-controlled House Health & Environment committee voted 7-6 Thursday in a party-line vote to allow Weld and Larimer counties to avoid mandatory emissions testing for passenger vehicles. The Greeley Tribune

GARNISH FROM GAMING WINS: The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday passed Sen. Angela Giron’s bill — despite opposition from the gaming industry — that calls for casino and lottery winnings to be withheld from people who owe the state money. The Chieftain[4]

THE CARL SPACKLER BILLING BILL: A bill that proposes to change archaic billing limits for county services that eradicate gophers, jackrabbits and ground squirrels was passed Wednesday by a House committee. The Chieftain[5]

BOARD SUPPORT: A bill that would reauthorize the state’s Sex Offender Management Board until 2020 has the support of victim advocates and probation officers. The Montrose Daily Press[6]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It was so much different than that other guy, Ritter,” he said while driving back from the meeting. “He is very personable and very attentive. When you talk to him, you know he is listening to you.” Moffat County Commissioner Tom Mathers, speaking to the Craig Daily Press [7]about a meeting with Gov. John Hickenlooper.

SIGNED ON TO SALAZAR PLAN: A group of 70 mostly Democratic elected officials from around Colorado have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar praising a recent decision that could extend wilderness protections to millions of new acres of western lands. KUNC [8]

POUDRE TALK: More than 300 people turned out Thursday night to consider the best ways to keep the various future needs of Poudre River water from being fodder for a fight. The Poudre faces enormous challenges: Northern Colorado is expected to nearly double in population during the next 40 years, with the state’s population possibly reaching 10 million, leaving its water supplies short possibly by more than 500,000 acre-feet annually. The Coloradoan[9]

GET ME REWRITE: Rep. Cory Gardner supports changes to the wording in an abortion bill he co-sponsored that critics said was an attempt to redefine rape. The Coloradoan[10]

FIRST SPRINGS MAYORAL FORUM: With five weeks before ballots hit the mail, nine of 11 candidates vying to be Colorado Springs’ first strong mayor tried to differentiate themselves Thursday in their first forum together. The Gazette[11]

SECURITY REQUEST: Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado said Thursday that he has requested local security during public appearances for the safety of his constituents, not for himself, after last month’s shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. KRDO[12]

TANCREDO TOUGH TALK: Colorado Republican Tom Tancredo may keep illegal immigration at the center of the GOP’s presidential primary debate. The former congressman sent his supporters an e-mail Wednesday saying he’s “fully back in the fray” and “getting ready to fight Barack Obama’s ‘backdoor amnesty’ scheme” The Hill[13]

BEST OF THE BLOTTERS, BELLAGIO EDITION: A former Pueblo man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the December armed robbery of $1.5 million in gambling chips from the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Chieftain[14]

TODAY’S NON-POLITICAL MUST-READS It’s been more than a year since Daniel Fordham got in trouble for an episode in which he called an Aspen police officer a “douche bag.” And those two words have sparked a war of words between the District Attorney’s Office and Fordham’s lawyer, Lauren Maytin of Aspen. The Aspen Times[15] and The Aspen Daily News[16]